Nepalese Ritual Mist Mask made from a Large Lingzhi Fungus

An Unusual Nepalese Ritual Mist Mask made from a Large Lingzhi Fungus (Ganoderma Lucidum)
19th Century

Size: 32cm high, 40cm wide – 12½ ins high, 15¾ ins wide

These Lingzhi fungus masks are used in the Himalayas of Nepal to dispel the malevolent spirits who dwell in the mountain mist. Buddhists take a pragmatic view of life and acknowledge that just as adversity, illness and peril cannot be completely eliminated from human affairs so malevolent deities can never be finally destroyed. However, the mask, through appropriate ritual, can contain and redirect these demonic forces.